10°
Mostly sunny
HI 16°
LO 5°
Sub-average mid-April warmth · widely called near-ideal racing
BOSTON
/
USA
/
FOUNDED 1897
Boston Marathon
The oldest annual marathon in the world. You don't apply — you earn your bib with a qualifying time on another course.
First run 1897, Boston is the oldest annual marathon in the world and always runs on Patriots' Day. It is the only Abbott World Marathon Major that is qualifier-only — there is no ballot or lottery. The 2025 cutoff required roughly 6:51 under the published BQ standard to earn entry.
Ballot opens
Sep 8, 2025
Window opens · free to enter
Passed
Ballot closes
Sep 12, 2025
Last day to submit
Passed
Draw / results
Sep 23, 2025
Winners notified
Passed
Race day
Apr 20, 2026
April 20, 2026
Passed
CLOSED SEP 12, 2025 · NEXT YEAR'S WINDOW TBD
Climate
Past three years on race day
Historical conditions on the course — what to expect, what to pack.
14°
Sunny
HI 21°
LO 8°
Sunny and warm · tailwind helped, but late-race overheating common
11°
Light rain
HI 13°
LO 8°
Damp, gloomy, full-route headwind · 99% humidity at the gun
Course·
Point-to-point — Hopkinton to Boylston Street
Hopkinton → Boylston Street
Cool-to-warm, variable
Elevation
Course profile
Net downhill but deceptive. A steep early plunge out of Hopkinton chews up your quads before the Newton hills stack up between miles 16 and 21 — Heartbreak Hill the last and most famous climb.
Total ascent·84m
Total descent·187m
Highest point·107m @ 0 km
Qualifying
How you get in
Boston is qualifier-only. Your qualifying time must be run on a certified marathon course within the BAA's qualifying window, and cutoffs are typically faster than the published standard.
M2:55
W3:25
Open category (18–34)
See full standards →
$5,000+
via the BAA's John Hancock charity partner program
View partners →
BQ standards
| Age group | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 18-34 | 2:55:00 | 3:25:00 |
| 35-39 | 3:00:00 | 3:30:00 |
| 40-44 | 3:05:00 | 3:35:00 |
| 45-49 | 3:15:00 | 3:45:00 |
| 50-54 | 3:20:00 | 3:50:00 |
| 55-59 | 3:30:00 | 4:00:00 |
| 60-64 | 3:50:00 | 4:20:00 |
| 65-69 | 4:05:00 | 4:35:00 |
| 70-74 | 4:20:00 | 4:50:00 |
| 75-79 | 4:35:00 | 5:05:00 |
| 80-84 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 85-89 | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
| 90+ | 4:50:00 | 5:20:00 |
Photos
On the course
Scenes from the 2025 edition — the right-on-Hereford-left-on-Boylston finish and the Boston faithful.
Finish · 2025
Crowd · 2025
FAQ
Common questions
When is the 2026 Boston Marathon?
The 2026 Boston Marathon, the 130th edition, runs on Monday, April 20, 2026 — Patriots' Day in Massachusetts. Boston is the oldest annual marathon in the world, first run in 1897.
Is there a lottery for the Boston Marathon?
No. Boston is the only Abbott World Marathon Major that is qualifier-only — there is no ballot or lottery. Entry is earned by running a certified marathon within the BAA's time standards, and cutoffs are typically faster than the published standard.
What is the Boston Marathon qualifying time for 2026?
The 2026 open standards are 3:00 for men 18–34 and 3:30 for women 18–34, with age-graded adjustments for older runners. However, qualifying only gets you an application — the 2025 cutoff required roughly 6:51 under the published BQ to earn a bib.
How can I run Boston without qualifying?
Charity bibs are the main non-qualifier route. The BAA's John Hancock charity partner program typically requires a $5,000+ fundraising minimum, with some charities running higher. Official tour operators also sell guaranteed entries packaged with travel.
How many runners are in the Boston Marathon?
The 2026 field is approximately 30,000 runners. Boston's capped field is smaller than London, Chicago, Berlin, and New York, which contributes to the qualifier-only competitiveness.